Ore-feeder.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

N. V. FITTS.

ORE FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00'1.24.1904.

5 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

IN VENT 01?. N.V.F1T"rs HJTNESSES:

TZORNEY.

No. 805,128. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. N. V. FITTS.

ORE FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 24.1904.

5 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

i. WITNESSES; F g 3 INVENTOR.

6;; M v N MFITTs No. 805,128. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

, N. V. PITTS.

ORE FEEDER.

APPLICATION TILED ocT. 24,1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES: JNVENTOR.

NV.FITTS @MWQ A TTORNE I.

PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

N. V. FITTS.

ORE FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00w. 24,1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

OOLEOOOJOJOOOOOOOOT [NI EN T 01?. N .VFITTS A TTO/CN/i).

Fig.11

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORMAN V. FITTS, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THECOLORADO IRON WORKS COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

ORE-FEEDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed October 24, 1904. Serial No. 229,678.

To all wl'tmn, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, NORMAN V. FITTs, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado. haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements-in Ore-Feeders; and 1 dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ore-feeders, and is especiallyintended for use in feeding crushed'ore to stamp-mills andpulverizing-rolls or to any apparatus where a regular discharge ordelivery of the ore to the pulverizing apparatus is desired. It is alsoevident that it may be employed in all similar or analogous relations.This apparatus belongs to the class of ore-feeders in which a rotarydisk is mounted below the open mouth of a hopper and operating mechanismemployed for intermittently actuating the disk, whereby a quantity ofthe ore is intermittently discharged from the disk at regular intervals.As the disk is actuated one of the wings or parts extending outwardlyfrom the body of the hopper engages the disk and causes the ore to bedischarged therefrom, the disk being suitably inclined and arranged insuch proximity to the apparatus to which the ore is to be delivered toaccomplish the aforesaid function.

My improvement consists in the mechanism for operating the disk, andincludes frictionfaces which are forced into operative engagementbyengaging wedge-shaped parts, one of which is fast on a part actuatedin any suitable manner, while the other wedge-shaped part is rigidlyconnected with one of the friction-faces, the other friction-face beingfast on a shaft geared to the shaft which carries the rotary disk. Ialso employ suitable means for taking up all lost motion between thefriction-faces, whereby as the operating part is actuated the movementof the disk immediately commences, since no time is lost in bringing theparts into direct operative engagement.

In one form of my improved construction one of the friction-faces isfast on the diskshaft, while the other friction-face is loose thereonand actuated by the engagement of the wedge-shaped faces when one of thelatter is given a partial rotary movement, the cam action of thewedge-shaped faces being suflicient to crowd the last-namedfriction-face tightly against the friction-face fast on the shaft of thedisk.

My improved ore-feeder may be operated from a stamp-stem, or it may beactuated by means of a rotary cam so shaped as to impart an intermittentmovement to the shaft of the disk, whereby the same result isaccomplished as when the disk is actuated from the stamp.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, as well as thefunction it is intended to perform, I will proceed to describe the samein detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings,in which isillustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan View of an ore-feeder equippedwith my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 isa front view or a view lookingin the direction of the arrows in Figs. 1and 2. Fig. A is a fragmentary detail view of the hopper, showing itslower portion, together with the wings which engage the rotary disk.Fig. 5 is a detail view of the disk shown in connection with its shaftand gear. Fig. 6 is a top view, partly in section, illustrating thehorizontal shaft carrying the frictionfaces and also showing its otherequipment, the parts being shown on a larger scale than in the principalviews. Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7, Fig. 6. trating themeans for returning the actuatingarm and its connections to its normalposition, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 9 is a sectionalview taken through the friction-faces, the shaft upon which they aremounted being shown in elevation. Fig. 10 is a top plan viewillustrating a modified form of construction, the ore-feeder in thiscase being actuated from a rotary shaft. Fig. 11 is a side elevation ofthe same, the lower portion being broken away. Figs. 12 and 13 are topplan and side elevations, respectively, illustrating still another formof construction.

Fig. 8 is a detail view illus- The same reference characters indicatethe same parts in all the views.

Referring first more especially to Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, let thenumeral 5 designate the body of the hopper, which is open at the bottomand in front, its front opening being controlled by avertically-adjustable slide-gate 6, provided with slots 7, through whichproject bolts 8, to which are applied thumb-nuts 9. By loosening thesenuts it is evident the gate may be raised and lowered at will for thepurpose of controlling the front opening of the hopper. The bottomopening of the hopper is closed by the rotary disk 10, which is suitablyinclined, as best illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 13. Connected withthe hopper and extending outwardly on both sides of the front openingare two wings 11 and 12. The wing 11 is located close to the outer edgeof the disk and prevents the material from falling ofi from the disk onthat side as it leaves the hopper. The wing 12 is adapted to dischargethe ore from the disk as the latter is intermittently actuated, and itis so shaped as to produce this result.

The disk 10 is made fast to the lower extremity of an inclined shaft 13,journaled in upper and lower bearings 14 and 15, mounted on the front ofthe hopper. To the upper extremity of the shaft 13 is made fastabevelgear 16, meshing with a gear 17, fast on a horizontal shaft 18, towhich is also made fast a friction-disk 19, the disk being splined onthe shaft, as shown in Fig. 6, and locked against outward endwisemovement by a split locknut 20, having lugs connected by a bolt 21, towhich is applied a tightening-nut 22. Loosely mounted on the shaft 18,adjacent to the fast friction-disk 19, is a cooperating friction-disk23, formed integral with a sleeve 24, whose face remote from the disk isbeveled or inclined, as shown at 25, and engages a part 26, having acorre pondingly-beveled opposing face 27. These two opposing beveled orinclined faces form two engaging wedges, and as one of them is given apartial rotary movement it is evident that the cam action, due to therelative change of position of the two engaging faces, will force theloose friction-disk into operative relation with the fast frictiondisk,the terms loose and fast being used avith reference to the relationbetween the disks and the shaft upon which they are mounted.

In order to take up all lost motion between the two friction-faces andhold them in such proximity that their action will be immediate as soonas the part 26 is moved, the sleeve 24 is provided with a lug 28, havingan opening in its outer extremity through which is passed a bolt 29,which passes through an opening in the disk 23 is automatically andnormally kept in close contact with the friction-disk 19. The opening inthe lug 28 through which the bolt 29 passes is somewhat enlarged tocompensate for the change of position of the parts during theperformance of the tension-bolts function.

The sleeve 24, together with the parts having the wedge-shaped opposingfaces, is inclosed by the housing 33, made fast to the wedge 26, thelatter being in turn rigidly connected with a lever 34, fulcrumed on theshaft 18, andwhose long arm 35 is provided at its outer extremity with acushion-tappet 36, which occupies a position in the path of a part onthe stem of a stamp (not shown) or other suitable actuating device. Theshort arm 37 of the lever 34 is provided on opposite sides with wrists38, which are connected, by means of tie-rods 39, (best shown in Fig.8,) with a cross-head 40, slidably mounted on a screw-shaft 41. Thisshaft 41 passes through openings formed in lugs 42 and 43, projectingoutwardly from the front of the hopper. Between the lug 43 and thecross-head 41 is located a coil-spring 44. Seated in a socket formed inthe lug 43 is a nut 45, which is angular in shape, while the recess 46,in which itis located,is of corresponding shape, whereby the nut islocked against rotation when the screw-shaft is turned. The portion ofthe shaft 41 which passes through this nut is threaded, as shown at 47,while the upper extremity of the shaft is enlarged, as shown at 48, andbears against the under side of the short arm 37 of the lever 34; To thelower extremity of-the shaft 41 is made fast a handwheel 49, whereby thesaid shaft may be actuated for the purpose of regulating the stroke ofthe lever 34 in a manner that will be readily understood. As the shaft41 is rotated its upper extremity 48 will be raised or lowered,according to the direction of rotation, by virtue of the threadedengagement of the shaft with the nut 45. The lower portion of the shaftis threaded, and to it is applied a lock-nut 50, having a hand-wheel 51,which after the shaft is properly adjusted is screwed tightly againstthe lower stationary lug 43, whereby the shaft is locked in the adjustedposition. 7

Upon the housing 33 is mounted an oil-cup 51 for supplying lubricatingmaterial to the shaft 18. The sleeve 24 is provided with an orifice 52to allow the oil to passthrough the sleeve to the shaft. As it is notdesirable for the oil to reach the faces of the friction-disks 19and 23,a groove 53 is formed in the disk tion of my improved ore-feeder as thusfar described will be readily understood. Assuming that the mechanism isproperly adjusted, as a part on the stem of a descending stamp (notshown) strikes the cushion-tappet 36 of the lever 34 the tappet end ofthe lever will be carried downwardly, imparting a partial rotarymovement to the wedge 26, whose face 27, acting on the oppositewedge-face 25, performs the function of a cam and forces thefriction-disk 23 against the disk 19 to the extent of the cam action ofthe wedges. It is evident that as the two friction-faces are forcedtightly together the partial rotary movement imparted to the wedge 26will also be imparted to the friction-disk 19, whereby a correspondingpartial rotary movement will be imparted to the shaft 18, whereby theshaft 13 and its disk will be actuated by virtue of the gearingconnection between the shafts l3 and 18, and this operation will berepeated every time the actuating-stamp drops. As soon as the lever-armis released from engagement with the stamp the tension of the spring 44will return the lever to its normal position. Every time a partialrotary movement is imparted to the disk 10 a part of the ore, which hasescaped from the hopper and is lying on the disk in front of the hopper,will be discharged from the hopper and delivered to the mortar of thestamp-battery, to which the ore or other material contained in thehopper is to be fed.

When it is desired to operate the feeder from a motor or line-shaftinstead of from a stamp-stem, the construction shown in Figs. lOand 11may be employed. In this case a shaft is journaled in suitable boxes 56,mounted on the hopper, the shaft being provided at one extremity with apulley 57 which may be connected with a belt from a motor or line-shaft,as may be desired. Upon this shaft 55 is mounted a cam 58, which acts ona roller or antifrictional device 59, journaled in the outer extremityof a lever-arm 60, whose opposite extremity is movably mounted on theshaft and made fast to the wedge 26, as in the other form ofconstruction. The means for returning the lever-arm to its normalposition or to its lowest limit of movement is substantially the same asthat already described when describing the return movement of the lever34, the said mechanism being illustrated in detail in Fig. 8. In thiscase the tierods 39 are connected with the lever-arm 60, as shown at 61.In other respects the construction is precisely the same as thatheretoforedescribed. The cam 58 is elongated, and the lever-arm 60 isactuated twice for every rotation of the shaft 55. It is evident,however, that this cam may be of any desired shape.

In the construction shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the horizontal shaft 18 isdispensed with, and a short shaft 62 is mounted in bearings l 63 and 64,supported on the hopper, and the friction-disks 19 and 23, together withthe parts 24 and 26, having the wedge-shaped opposing faces 25 and 27,are mounted directly on the shaft 13. In this case the lever 34 isfulcrumed on the short shaft 62 and is provided above the shaft with abifurcated lug 65, which straddles a projection 66, rigidly connectedwith the wedge 26; The other parts are substantially of the sameconstruction as shown in the other views, bearing in mind that the parts19, 23, and 26 are mounted on the shaft 13 instead of the shaft 18. Thehousing 33 also occupies the same relation to the other parts as in theother views, except that it surrounds the shaft-13 instead of the shaft18. Assuming that the parts are in the relative position shown in Fig.13, it is evident that if the outer extremity of the lever 34 be moveddownwardly in the manner heretofore described the bifurcated lug 65,acting on the projection 66, will impart a partial rotary movement tothe wedge 26, whereby the cam action of the wedge-shaped opposing faceswill be sufficient to cause the friction-disks 19 and 23 to engage eachother in operative relation, whereby the shaft 13 is actuated to operatethe disk 10 in the manner heretofore explained, except that the saidparts act on the shaft 13 without the intervention of the shaft 18 andthe gears, as in the other forms of construction.

Interposed between the friction-disks 19 and 23 is a washer A, composedof belting or other suitable material adapted to increase the fric-.tion between the two disks. This washer A engages a shoulder formed onthe disk 23, whereby it is prevented from coming in direct contact withthe shaft. In this way it is kept from contact with the lubricatingmaterial.

Attention is called to the fact that the housing 33 forms a receptaclefor the lubricating The two friction wedge faces 25 and 27 dip into thelubricating material of the housing, and are thus kept suitablylubricated. This is a feature of considerable importance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an ore-feeder,the combination with a receptacle adapted to hold the ore or othermaterial, of a feed-plate mounted below the receptacle, and a revolubleshaft connected in operative relation with the plate, of two partsmounted on the said shaft and having wedgeshaped opposing faces capableof independent revoluble movement, one of the parts being also axiallymovable on the shaft and having a friction-face, another friction-faceconnected in operative relation with the said shaft,

and means for imparting a rotary movement to one wedge-faced part,whereby the opposing part is shifted axially to bring the fricmaterial,which enters it through the duct 54.

tion-faces into operative relation to actuate the shaft and feed-plate,substantially as described.

2. In an 0re-feeder, the combination with a receptacle adapted to holdthe ore or other material, a feed-plate mounted below the receptacle,and a revoluble shaft connected in operative relation with the saidplate, of two parts having wedge-shaped opposing faces, a shaft uponwhich the wedge-faced parts are loosely mounted, one beingaxiallymovable thereon, and provided with a friction-face, anotherfriction-face fast on the shaft and connected in operative relation withthe shaft of the feed-plate, and means for imparting a rotary movementto one wedge-faced part whereby the other wedge part is shifted axiallyon the shaft and the friction-faces brought into operative relation for"the purpose set forth.

3. In an ore-feeder, the combination with a receptacle adapted to holdthe ore or other material, and a feed-plate revolubly mounted below thereceptacle, of two parts" having wed ge-shaped opposing faces, a shafton which the wedge-faced parts are loosely mounted, said shaft beingconnected in operative relation with the feed-plate, one wedge-facedpart being axially movable and provided with a friction-face, andanother friction-face fast on the shaft and connected in operativerelation with the feed-plate, and means for imparting a rotary movementto one wedge-faced part whereby the other wedge part is shifted axiallyon the shaft and the friction-faces brought into operative engagementfor the purpose set forth.

4, In an ore-feeder, the combination with a hopper, a feed-plate mountedbelow the hopper, a revoluble shaft to which the feed-plate is madefast, a second shaft geared to the feedplate shaft, a lever-armfulcrumed on the second shaft and provided with a wedge-faced part, anopposing wedge-faced part movable in the line of the shafts axis, theaxially-movable wedge-shaped part having a friction-face, anotherfriction-face fast on the second shaft, and means for actuating thelever-arm whereby the wedge part having the friction-face is shifted tobring the two friction-faces into operative relation for the purpose setforth.

5. The combination with a receptacle, a feed-plate and anactuating-shaft, of asecond shaft geared to the feed-plate shaft, alever fulcrumed on the second shaft and provided with a wedge-faced partrigidly connected therewith, an opposing wedge-faced part loose on thesecond shaft and movable thereon in the line of the shafts axis, theaxially-movable part having a friction-face, another friction-face faston the second shaft, means for actuating the lever to throw thefriction-faces into operative engagement, and suitable means connectedwith the lever for returning the latter to its normal position aftereach movement of the feed-plate.

6. The combination with a suitable receptacle and a revoluble plate, ofa shaft suitably journaled and connected in operative relation with thefeed-plate, a lever fulcrumed on the shaft and provided with awedge-faced part rigidly connected therewith, another wedgefaced partloose on the shaft and provided with a friction-face, anotherfriction-face fast on the shaft, means connected with the loosewedge-faced part for taking up lost motion between the friction-faces,and means for actuating the lever whereby the wedge-faced part connectedtherewith is actuated and the relative position of the two wedge-facedparts changed by a cam action to bring the frictionfaces into operativerelation for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a feed-plate and a shaft connected in operativerelation therewith, of a second shaft geared to the feed-plate shaft, alever fulcrumed on the second shaft and provided with a wedge-faced partrigidly connected therewith, an opposing wedge-faced part loose on thesecond shaft and movable thereon in the line of the shafts axis, theaxially-movablepart also having a friction-face, another friction-facefast on the second shaft, tension means connected with the wedge-facedpart having a friction-face for taking up lost motion between the twofriction-faces, and

'means for actuating the lever whereby the wedge faces are shiftedangularly to bring the friction-faces into operative engagement.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a rotaryfeed-plate, and a shaft connected in operative relation with the saidplate, of a lever fulcrumed on the shaft, a wedge face rigidly connectedwith the lever and loose on the shaft, a part having an opposing wedgeface at one extremity, and a friction-face at the opposite extremity,the same being loose on the shaft, a friction-face fast on the shaft,means for actuating one arm of the lever to shift the wedge facesangularly and bring the friction-faces into inoperative engagement, andmeans connected with the opposite arm of the lever for returning thelatter to its normal position after each operation of the feed-plate,said means comprising tie-rods connected at their upper extremities withthe lever, a screw-shaft, acrosshead slidable thereon and with which thelower extremities of the tie-rods are connected, the screw-shaft passingthrough openings formed in upper and lower stationary parts, the upperextremity of the screw-shaft en gaging the lever, a nut mounted in theupper stationary part and locked against rotation,

the screw-shaft being threaded to engage said nut, the extremity of thescrew-shaft remote from the lever being equipped to facilitate themanipulation of the shaft, the lower part of the opposing wedge faces,and means for actuating the lever whereby the wedge faces are shiftedangularly to bring the friction-faces into operative engagement,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NORMAN v. FITTS.

Witnesses:

A. J. OBRIE DENA NELSON.

